chigoe

English

Tunga penetrans

Etymology

Uncertain. Possibly from a Cariban language term chico, or a West African borrowing such as Wolof or Yoruba jiga (“insect”).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃɪ.ɡoʊ/

Noun

chigoe (plural chigoes)

A small tropical flea, Tunga penetrans, whose females burrow under the skin of animals, including humans, and lay their eggs, causing strong irritation and sores.

Synonyms

(Tunga penetrans): chegoe, chegre, chigger, chigre, chique, jigger

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